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‘Grand Theft Auto V’ review: Stubborn sexism, violence ruin game play
LA Times ^ | 9-20-13 | Todd Martens

Posted on 09/22/2013 10:08:00 AM PDT by Arthurio

-snip-

Yet the majority of the game critic community has decided to treat “Grand Theft Auto V’s” rampant misogyny and violence against women as a pesky housefly, a slight annoyance that doesn’t detract from all that’s remarkably polished. Though some of the defensiveness may be genuine for this ambitiously free-form game, it’s also rooted in the fear of being labeled as one of those clueless souls who doesn’t quite get the joke or, worse, is offended by it.

But much of this knee-jerk cheerleading is a lost opportunity. If “Auto V” had advanced as much culturally and emotionally as it has mechanically, it might merit the kudos and prove to those who write off games as immature just how far the medium has come.

Even attempts at social commentary here are embarrassingly one-dimensional. One hip coffeeshop brags that its tea is exploited from the Third World. There’s the Whole Foods-like store with a “shop with superiority” slogan, and a dumpster-diving movement of “freegans” are described as “nonproductive members of society by choice.” Perhaps they need to go back and take tips from “South Park,” a series that started around the same time.

(Excerpt) Read more at herocomplex.latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: game; games; gaming; gta5; gtav
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1 posted on 09/22/2013 10:08:00 AM PDT by Arthurio
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To: Arthurio

I’ve never played, but is violence and sexism the whole point of the game?


2 posted on 09/22/2013 10:08:50 AM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

I wouldn’t know. I borrowed by nephews and just drove around stealing cars and I stole a copter from the police too. lol


3 posted on 09/22/2013 10:11:24 AM PDT by GeronL
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To: nickcarraway

“violence ruins gameplay” lol....

Ya pretty much, there’s a story line and stuff, and side quests and stuff but a lot of the time you’re just stealing cars and shooting up cops and pedestrians.

Sandbox style.


4 posted on 09/22/2013 10:15:11 AM PDT by FreedomStar3028 (Evil must be punished.)
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To: Arthurio

I may have to look this game up. what initially sounded like random gratuitous violence now doesn’t sound so random - or gratuitous LOL


5 posted on 09/22/2013 10:15:17 AM PDT by rockrr (Everything is different now...)
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To: nickcarraway

I think the game reflects reality “in the ‘hood.” They are just keepin’ it real.


6 posted on 09/22/2013 10:16:04 AM PDT by Cowboy Bob (They are called "Liberals" because the word "parasite" was already taken.)
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To: nickcarraway

I don’t know, I’ve never played it either. However, the “review” was funny has heck. This guy (?) just doesn’t get it. It is GTA. Even people who don’t play it (like me) know it is about good graphics & game play, violence, and trying to offend. What did the reviewer expect? People driving Prius’ to garden club meetings? The reviewer seems offended that GTA has stuck to it’s genre. Wow, what a shock. ;-/


7 posted on 09/22/2013 10:16:52 AM PDT by ThunderSleeps (Stop obarma now! Stop the hussein - insane agenda!)
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To: Arthurio

Criticizing this game for sexism and violence is like criticizing a communist for raising your taxes.

That is what they do. That is what they live for. And if you want to screw off and waste a few hours doing stuff in a game that you’d never do in real life... buy GTA 5.

I haven’t purchased it yet (probably won’t till it’s almost free) but I played some of their early releases and enjoyed them.


8 posted on 09/22/2013 10:17:27 AM PDT by TheZMan (Buy more ammo.)
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To: GeronL

Pretty much all I ever did with the game (Vice City). Steal cars, drive really fast, amass weapons, and go down in a blaze of glory. I had to get it out of my house.


9 posted on 09/22/2013 10:18:00 AM PDT by WhistlingPastTheGraveyard (If you don't stand up, you don't stand a chance.)
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To: ThunderSleeps
What did the reviewer expect? People driving Prius’ to garden club meetings?

That would sell so well... /s

10 posted on 09/22/2013 10:19:02 AM PDT by GeronL
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To: Arthurio

No zombies?
I’ll pass.


11 posted on 09/22/2013 10:20:54 AM PDT by RandallFlagg (IRS = Internal Revenge Service)
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To: Arthurio

GTA V made $800 million on the first day.


12 posted on 09/22/2013 10:21:10 AM PDT by EEGator
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To: GeronL

I almost stole a C-130 off the military base, but I was killed before I could get moving down the runway. I later stole a private jet from the airport and landed it on the freeway just to see if I could.

GTA5 is loads of fun if you don’t mind the over-the-topness of it all!


13 posted on 09/22/2013 10:21:37 AM PDT by Future Snake Eater (CrossFit.com)
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To: Arthurio

Gees, with a title like “Grand Theft Auto”, I’m shocked it’s not a squeaky clean, wholesome, law abiding experience.


14 posted on 09/22/2013 10:23:30 AM PDT by aquila48
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To: Cowboy Bob

If you go in the ‘hood as a white character and attack another black character, then everyone will start converging on you in a mass attack saying “Got gots a problem with the homeys?!”


15 posted on 09/22/2013 10:24:44 AM PDT by Arthurio
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To: nickcarraway

“whole point of the game?”

No. There is a lot more to the game than that. It’s just
a good game that is close to reality in graphics and
character response. It’s huge and the game never ends.
You literally can play it infinitely.


16 posted on 09/22/2013 10:24:49 AM PDT by Slambat
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To: Arthurio

Grand Theft Auto - that’s the one with the flying ponies, right?


17 posted on 09/22/2013 10:25:47 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: FreedomStar3028

“shooting up cops and pedestrians.”

Not always and and only if you want to.


18 posted on 09/22/2013 10:26:52 AM PDT by Slambat
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To: Arthurio

None of the GTA games have been socially responsible. This new one is no different.


19 posted on 09/22/2013 10:28:29 AM PDT by exDemMom (Now that I've finally accepted that I'm living a bad hair life, I'm more at peace with the world.)
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To: GeronL
"What did the reviewer expect? People driving Prius’ to garden club meetings?"

"That would sell so well... /s"

The just need to add the no strings attached Federal green energy grant to the formula...

20 posted on 09/22/2013 10:29:20 AM PDT by Truth29
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